United We Read

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The Event

Just like Oprah’s Book Club or the city’s “One Book, One Chicago” program, the entire District 401 community has the opportunity to read a specially selected book and share its story, message, and the experience with others. The Elmwood Park Public Library and the Village of Elmwood Park are partners on this project.

The Book

The goal is to involve people of all ages through an exciting, interesting book that is available in several versions for different reading levels. One such book is the New York Times #1 Best Seller Three Cups of Tea: One Man’s Mission to Fight Terrorism and Build Nations, One School at a Time, by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin. Dr. Rudig and Ms. Fillipitch both claim this book as one of their favorites. It tells Mortenson’s true story. While climbing K2, the world’s second tallest mountain, he became lost and ill. Eventually, Mortenson stumbled into a Pakistani village, whose residents welcomed him, sheltered him, and saved his life. He promised to repay his caring hosts by building a school for the children of this remote mountain village. Not only did he build the school, but his efforts also created the non-profit Central Asia Institute that has, to date, built 90 schools for 34,000 impoverished children in rural Pakistan and Afghanistan.

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The version of the book for grades K through 4 is called, Listen to the Wind, and is told through the eyes of Pakistani children.

A book for older children in intermediate grades is also available, as are large print, Spanish and audio versions.

More Information on the books

About the author

Video of the author

Community and individual sponsors are welcome: for further information, call Jeane Fillipitch at (708) 452-7272.